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By Lauren Yarger
It’s one of the bard’s “problem plays” because it’s hard to classify it as a comedy or a tragedy, but this one seems to present even more difficulties than another problem play -- All’s Well That Ends Well -- running in repertory this summer at the Public Theater’s free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
Are we supposed to like Vincentio, Duke of Vienna (Lorenzo Pisoni)? He’s the hero, but sort of a dunce and not exactly a good ruler. Are we supposed to sympathize with Claudio (Andre Holland) who gets his girlfirend, Juliet (Kristen Connolly), pregnant? What about Claudio’s sister Isabella (Danai Gurira), a novice about to take her vows of chastity, who might have to give up her virginity to the ruthless deputy ruler Angelo (Michael Hayden) to save her brother from being beheaded for violating the morals laws Angelo invokes? Or maybe we’re supposed to relate to Mariana (Annie Parisse), rejected by her fiance Angelo on a trumped up morals charge?
Unfortunately, we’re not inclined to care about any of them and director David Esbjornson’s uneven staging doesn’t help solve the problematic nature of the play and doesn’t find focus. Actors seem to be walking around on stage with no purpose just so they have something to do. Some blocking has actors with their backs to the audience for lengthy periods and John Gromada’s original music sounds too modern at times, contrasting with Elizabeth Hope Clancy’s Elizabethan costumes (and kudos to all the actors wearing them in the heat and humidity that permeated the theater the night I attended). Scott Pask’s set for All’s Well That Ends Well does double duty, though, with just a few expertly implemented changes that morph it from elegant to monastery-like.
Despite the uneven feel to the play, there are some highlights here. Gurira is superb as the godly nun, conflicted over where her real duty lies. Some of the minor characters stand out as well: Reg Rogers as Lucio (he also shines in All‘s Well), Dakin Matthews as the provost, Carson Elrod as clown Pompey and David Mann as Elbow, a sort of constable. Giving some depth to his character is John Cullum as Escalus, a lord forced to go along with Angelo’s rule of terror. Cullum subtely conveys the character’s disagreement or amusement with the proceedings going on around him. Tonya Pinkins is underused in the role of Misstress Overdone.
Measure for Measure runs in repertory with All's well That Ends Well at the Delacorte through July 30. Tickets are free and are available on the day of the performance (lines form early and most shows are sold out, so plan ahead). The Public also offers a daily online lottery for tickets. On the day of a show, users can log on to http://www.shakespeareinthepark.org/ anytime between midnight and 1 pm to register for that evening’s performance.
Virtual Ticketing recipients are chosen at random to receive tickets, not in the order requests are received. Additonal ticketing information is available as well. Visit For ticket information and performance schedule, visit http://www.shakespeareinthepark.org/ or call 212-539-8750.
All performances are at 8 pm. The Delacorte Theater in Central Park is accessible by entering at 81 Street and Central Park West or at 79th Street and Fifth Avenue (turn left opposite the Metropolitan Museum of Art).
Christians might also like to know:
Sexual references
Scaty costumes
Demons depicted
Are we supposed to like Vincentio, Duke of Vienna (Lorenzo Pisoni)? He’s the hero, but sort of a dunce and not exactly a good ruler. Are we supposed to sympathize with Claudio (Andre Holland) who gets his girlfirend, Juliet (Kristen Connolly), pregnant? What about Claudio’s sister Isabella (Danai Gurira), a novice about to take her vows of chastity, who might have to give up her virginity to the ruthless deputy ruler Angelo (Michael Hayden) to save her brother from being beheaded for violating the morals laws Angelo invokes? Or maybe we’re supposed to relate to Mariana (Annie Parisse), rejected by her fiance Angelo on a trumped up morals charge?
Unfortunately, we’re not inclined to care about any of them and director David Esbjornson’s uneven staging doesn’t help solve the problematic nature of the play and doesn’t find focus. Actors seem to be walking around on stage with no purpose just so they have something to do. Some blocking has actors with their backs to the audience for lengthy periods and John Gromada’s original music sounds too modern at times, contrasting with Elizabeth Hope Clancy’s Elizabethan costumes (and kudos to all the actors wearing them in the heat and humidity that permeated the theater the night I attended). Scott Pask’s set for All’s Well That Ends Well does double duty, though, with just a few expertly implemented changes that morph it from elegant to monastery-like.
Despite the uneven feel to the play, there are some highlights here. Gurira is superb as the godly nun, conflicted over where her real duty lies. Some of the minor characters stand out as well: Reg Rogers as Lucio (he also shines in All‘s Well), Dakin Matthews as the provost, Carson Elrod as clown Pompey and David Mann as Elbow, a sort of constable. Giving some depth to his character is John Cullum as Escalus, a lord forced to go along with Angelo’s rule of terror. Cullum subtely conveys the character’s disagreement or amusement with the proceedings going on around him. Tonya Pinkins is underused in the role of Misstress Overdone.
Measure for Measure runs in repertory with All's well That Ends Well at the Delacorte through July 30. Tickets are free and are available on the day of the performance (lines form early and most shows are sold out, so plan ahead). The Public also offers a daily online lottery for tickets. On the day of a show, users can log on to http://www.shakespeareinthepark.org/ anytime between midnight and 1 pm to register for that evening’s performance.
Virtual Ticketing recipients are chosen at random to receive tickets, not in the order requests are received. Additonal ticketing information is available as well. Visit For ticket information and performance schedule, visit http://www.shakespeareinthepark.org/ or call 212-539-8750.
All performances are at 8 pm. The Delacorte Theater in Central Park is accessible by entering at 81 Street and Central Park West or at 79th Street and Fifth Avenue (turn left opposite the Metropolitan Museum of Art).
Christians might also like to know:
Sexual references
Scaty costumes
Demons depicted
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